Manitoba Digital Agriculture Symposium 2026

Dr. Mohammad Nadimi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba, having begun his faculty appointment in April 2025. Dr. Nadimi’s research sits at the intersection of smart sensing, spectroscopy, imaging, artificial intelligence, and digital agriculture, with a focus on developing practical technologies for grain storage, quality assessment, and postharvest monitoring. An active contributor to the academic community, he has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and more than 20 conference papers. He also serves as a Senior Editor for the Elsevier journal Measurement: Food and as a co-guest editor for Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. Dr. Nadimi was recognized in the Stanford–Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists List in 2025. As Principal Investigator, he has secured approximately $587,000 in research funding, including about $455,000 from external sources. Dr. Nadimi is the founder and Chair of the 1st Manitoba Digital Agriculture Symposium.

Dr. Aitazaz A. Farooque is a professor of precision agriculture and the Director of the Canadian Center for Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Prince Edward Island. His research advances climate-smart technologies for Canadian agriculture, earning recognition among Canada’s top researchers and the NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplement. He has supervised over 150 trainees and published 200+ peer-reviewed papers in top journals. Dr. Farooque has secured over $18 million in research funding and led major multi-million-dollar projects. His work is widely recognized through national and international awards, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal and induction into the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars. He is a Professional Engineer and Agrologist and has played a key role in advancing precision agriculture-focused education and research in Atlantic Canada.

Dr. Ian Stavness is a Professor and the Head of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan. He directs the CREATE in Computational Agriculture training program, which provides cross-discipline graduate training to students at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Manitoba. He obtained his PhD from the University of British Columbia and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Bio-Engineering at Stanford University prior to joining the University of Saskatchewan in 2012. His research focuses on Visual AI with applications in biology, agriculture, and medicine.

Elena GomezHaro Aceves is the Industry and Funding Partner Liaison for the Manitoba Centre for Digital Agriculture (MCDA) since January 2026. She holds an MSc in Food Science from the University of Manitoba and brings 20 years of combined experience across innovation, R&D, quality assurance, marketing and as a University instructor. Elena has successfully secured funding for over 100 applied research proposals and has extensive experience working with both technical and non-technical teams, enabling effective collaboration with international research and industry partners, provincial and federal funding agencies, and research centres across Canada.

Her career includes roles at multinational companies such as PepsiCo and Danone, SMEs such as BioChambers and Prairie West Ice Cream, and working for the Government of Manitoba and the Prairie Research Kitchen at RRC Polytech as the Research Manager and Industry Liaison Manager.

Katherine Stanley is the Research Program Manager for Special Crops at Manitoba Crop Alliance. She works closely with farmer-led committees in sunflower, flax and corn to ensure farmer research priorities are clearly identified and effectively matched with leading researchers. Katherine also oversees MCA’s Whole Farm Research Program, supporting projects that delivery practical, farm-scale insights for Manitoba farmers. With more than a decade of experience in research and extension, she is deeply committed to advancing Canadian agriculture and driving innovation that reflects the needs of farmers.

Dr. Delaquis, is the Research & Agronomy Manager with Manitoba Canola Growers Association and farms with her family in south central Manitoba. She completed her PhD at the University of Manitoba in Agronomy and holds Professional Agrologist, Certified Crop Advisor and 4R Agronomist Designations. She completed her MSc at the University of Alberta in Weed Science and BSc in Agronomy from U of M.

Dr. Jitendra Paliwal is Vice-President, Research and Innovation and Professor of Applied Computer Science at the University of Winnipeg. An internationally recognized engineer and applied scientist, his work bridges digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, intelligent sensing, and food systems innovation. Over more than two decades, he has advanced non-invasive imaging and predictive technologies that enhance grain quality, storage safety, and sustainable food production.

Dr. Paliwal has authored over 180 peer-reviewed publications, holds multiple patents, and has led multidisciplinary research collaborations with industry, government, and international partners. His innovations have contributed to widely adopted technologies in the agri-food sector.

As a senior academic leader, he oversees the university’s research enterprise and serves on several national boards supporting Canada's research infrastructure and innovation ecosystem. He is a Fellow of Engineers Canada and the Canadian Society for Bioengineering.

Glenn Friesen is the Digital Agriculture Policy Lead with Manitoba Agriculture and a national contributor to advancing digital agriculture in Canada. He is leading the development of Manitoba’s Digital Agriculture Strategy while working across jurisdictions to strengthen alignment on data stewardship, interoperability, and innovation policy. With over two decades of experience across agriculture, sustainability, and agri-food systems, Glenn operates at the nexus of policy, technology, and ecosystem building. He has led extensive engagement with producers, technology firms, researchers, governments, and international partners to help shape trusted digital ecosystems that enhance competitiveness, resilience, and long-term value for Canada’s agri-food sector.

Dr. Ian Stavness is a Professor and the Head of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan. He directs the CREATE in Computational Agriculture training program, which provides cross-discipline graduate training to students at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Manitoba. He obtained his PhD from the University of British Columbia and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Bio-Engineering at Stanford University prior to joining the University of Saskatchewan in 2012. His research focuses on Visual AI with applications in biology, agriculture, and medicine.